Observance of Kwanzaa resonates around Poconos

The spirit of Kwanzaa again is celebrated by families around the Poconos starting on the usual dates of Dec. 26 and ending on New Year's Day.

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By ROSEANNE BOTTONE

poconorecord.com

By ROSEANNE BOTTONE

Posted Dec. 31, 2012 at 12:01 AM

By ROSEANNE BOTTONE
Posted Dec. 31, 2012 at 12:01 AM

The Seven Principles of Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa celebrates what its founder called "The Seven Principles of Kwanzaa", or Nguzo Saba (originally Nguzu Saba — "The Seven Principles of Blackness"), which Karenga alleges "is a communit...

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The Seven Principles of Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa celebrates what its founder called "The Seven Principles of Kwanzaa", or Nguzo Saba (originally Nguzu Saba — "The Seven Principles of Blackness"), which Karenga alleges "is a communitarian African philosophy" consisting of what Karenga called "the best of African thought and practice in constant exchange with the world." These seven principles comprise Kawaida, a Swahili term for tradition and reason. Each of the seven days of Kwanzaa is dedicated to one of the following principles:

Umoja (Unity) To strive for and to maintain unity in the family, community, nation and race.

Kujichagulia (Self-Determination) To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves and speak for ourselves.

Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility) To build and maintain our community together and make our brothers' and sisters' problems our problems and to solve them together.

Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics) To build and maintain our own stores, shops and other businesses and to profit from them together.

Nia (Purpose) To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.

Kuumba (Creativity) To do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.

Imani (Faith) To believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.

Kwanzaa also recognizes the seven virtues — one each day — of unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith.

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The spirit of Kwanzaa again is celebrated by families around the Poconos starting on the usual dates of Dec. 26 and ending on New Year's Day.

Many are having celebrations throughout the week and the African American Network of the Poconos celebrated Kwanzaa early this year (because of scheduling availability) in a festive event on Dec. 15 at Hughes Library in Stroudsburg.

Chairperson Cleo MeriAbut (meaning "doubly-loved teacher") Jarvis and her committee members Alice Piper, Sabrina Robertson and Idella Ray-Barrow organized a joyful celebration of the seven principles of Kwanzaa called "Nguzu Saba" in the African Kiswahili language.

Participants volunteered to speak for a moment on their thoughts about each principle. "Umoja" signifies unity and helpfulness. The celebrants believe in "Kujichagulia," self-determination, by taking control of their own lives by making positive choices.

"Ujima," collective work and responsibility, reminds the community that there is power in synergism. "Ujamaa" means cooperative economics. African Americans must build and support their own businesses to promote economic freedom.

"Nia" means that each person must find their purpose in life. "Kuumba" or creativity is highly valued. We are all born with gifts and we must use our minds and hands to make things. Finally "Imani" means faith. Kwanzaa celebrants believe in themselves, their God, and in their successful future.

The master of ceremonies, Jonathan Edmondson, spoke passionately about creativity. "The hand is more powerful than the gun," he said. "Your gifts and talents are in your hands. Your hands can take you places." Edmondson is a motivational speaker and added rousing words of encouragement throughout the afternoon.

Kwanzaa is a secular, week-long holiday that began in 1966 at the behest of social activist Ron Karenga as an alternative for people of color who did not want to imitate the practices of the "dominant society." As Kwanzaa became accepted in the mainstream, its focus changed in 1977 to a more inclusive celebration of family, community and culture. "It is not a religious holiday," Jarvis explains, "but one where the African American community comes together in unity to reflect on and honor our cultural heritage."

The ceremony began with the "Tamshi La Tambiko" — a libation statement honoring the first ancestors — led by Barbara Dabney. Thelma Russell asked for a moment of silent meditation. An altar was set where simple gifts and "mazao" or fruits of the harvest were displayed. It featured a "kinara" candle holder that holds seven candles; one black, three green and three red known as the "mishuma saba."

Children from the audience lit the candles, each representing one of the seven principals.

Jarvis said, "We include the children in our celebration. We must teach them now about our ancestors and our accomplishments. They are our light. They are our future."

The children provided beautiful entertainment. Cardigan Caines came to the piano and played "Misty" and "The Girl from Ipanema."

Bathsheba Etheridge, founder of an "Ujima" youth organization, brought a group of young ladies from ages 4—18 who recited Maya Angelou's poem "Phenomenal Woman" with style, grace and confidence, and performed a dance. The ceremony ended with the chant "Harambe!" which means, "Let's pull together."

Members of the African American Network brought hot food, homemade pies and cookies to share.

Their community Kwanzaa year-end celebration gave the audience a sense of remembrance, recommitment and renewal.